Most of what you’ve probably heard about the three-star 2014 Cadillac ELR extended-range electric car is wrong. First and foremost, it’s not a Cadillac version of the four-door Chevrolet Volt. It’s a legitimate luxury coupe with unique styling, a lush interior, a new wheelbase and suspension and much more.
The ELR I tested also consistently outperformed EPA projections for how far it could go on battery power alone despite sub-zero temperatures. Its lithium-ion battery proved more than a match for the polar vortex, keeping the car moving and its occupants toasty.
The ELR uses a version of the Volt’s drivetrain, but the two cars are otherwise very different.
The ELR’s main competitors are alternate-power luxury cars such as the BMW i3 and i8, Porsche Panamera plug-in hybrid and Tesla Model S and stylish high-end coupes such as the BMW 640i. The Volt competes with mainstream cars like the Nissan Leaf, Ford C-Max and Fusion, Honda Accord and Toyota Prius plug-in hybrids.